To consider a report by County Councillor Arwel Jones, Portfolio Holder for Education.
Minutes:
The Portfolio Holder for Education outlined the consultation process. He referred to the debate at Council on 8th September and to the recommendation passed at that meeting that the proposals for Builth Wells High School and Llandrindod High school be abandoned for a period of up to 2 years to allow the leadership teams of both schools to work together on joint proposals to raise standards. The Portfolio Holder did not feel that this recommendation addressed the issues facing the schools and therefore he was proposing the closure of Builth Wells and Llandrindod High Schools on the 31st August 2018 and to establish a new dual-sited dual-stream 11 - 18 school that will operate on the current campuses of Builth Wells and Llandrindod High Schools with effect from 1st September 2018. This was one year later than originally consulted on to give the new governing body time to put staffing structures in place. He felt that the establishment of a new school on two sites was the best way of addressing issues facing the schools and referred to the example when the authority had established a new school on two sites at Newtown and John Beddoes which had seen standards improve.
County Councillor Gary Price spoke as a local member for Llandrindod High School. He noted that 32 members including members of independent groups had voted for the alternative proposal and questioned why the Portfolio Holder had rejected the alternative for reasons that could also be applied to Brecon and Gwernyfed High Schools.
County Councillor Gwilym Williams spoke as a local member for Llandrindod High School. He sought and received an assurance from the Leader and Portfolio Holder that officers were not working to identify a site for the new school. The Leader said his administration had no plans to do so. He was also advised that it would be for the new shadow governing body to appoint a Headteacher and to agree the staffing structure and that it was permissible to ring fence posts to existing staff.
County Councillor Kelvyn Curry spoke as a local member for Llandrindod High School also referred to the recommendation from Council and asked that the leadership teams in both schools be given an opportunity to collaborate. He felt that the only concession of an extra year would bring uncertainty. He questioned the Cabinet’s priorities and noted that savings could found through other means such as the closure of a household waste recycling centre.
County Councillor Keith Tampin spoke as a local member for Llandrindod High School argued that the proposals put the education of the pupils in both schools in jeopardy and would make the recruitment and retention of staff harder. He referred to Estyn’s comments that the proposals did not demonstrate how the changes would lead to improved standards.
County Councillor David Jones, Chair of the People Scrutiny Committee, noted that both schools had lost 200 pupils in the last 6 years and that there was evidence of pupils moving out of the county for 6th form education. He was concerned that Estyn were not convinced that the proposals would improve standards and he urged the Cabinet to do more to improve standards. He asked that the amalgamation date be brought forward but the Portfolio Holder explained that this would not be achievable.
County Councillor James Gibson-Watt, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, argued for a collaboration model rather than merger and referred to Estyn’s assessment that standards may be put at risk. The Portfolio Holder for Education explained that he took the Estyn comment as a criticism that there had not been enough detail in the consultation document.
County Councillor Aled Davies, leader of the Conservative group, argued that the case had not been made for the merger of two schools.
County Councillor Sandra Davies, leader of the Labour group, was not reassured that the proposals would raise standards.
The Cabinet confirmed that they had read the report and appendices. Cabinet members spoke about the need to improve standards and to improve the offer to pupils so they did not leave the county particularly for 6th form education. It was noted that in 2011 a collaborative model was introduced but that despite that pupil numbers continued to fall. They noted that the low numbers of pupil particularly in 6th form reduced Welsh Government funding pushing schools into deficit. The Portfolio Holder for Finance confirmed that there was approximately £19m capital allocated for secondary schools in mid Powys. Cabinet noted that by creating a critical mass of pupils it would be easier to recruit specialist teachers, and to allow heads of departments more non-contact time to coach and mentor teachers in their departments which would contribute to a rise in teaching standards.
The Leader in summing up thanked both schools for allowing the Cabinet to visit. He noted that the proposal for one school on two sites gave the opportunity for standards to improve.
RESOLVED |
Reason for Decision: |
· To consider the Consultation Report and Responses Report;
· To publish a statutory notice for
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· To understand the issues raised during consultation;
· To establish a sustainable model of secondary education, which can deliver high-quality education.
· To provide sufficient time to establish the new school.
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Supporting documents: